STEP

STEP: Daily Living, Community Inclusion, and Volunteering 

STEP: Secondary Transition Employment Program 

Designed for adult students with significant cognitive and adaptive delays who need substantial support and supervision throughout the day. Emphasis is on instruction in life skills, community inclusion, pre-vocational activities, and volunteering or work in local businesses and organizations. 

Location 

• 1807 N Washington (site is independent of comprehensive school)

Program Description 

STEP is designed to foster vocational and community independence in young adults with significant cognitive and adaptive challenges ages 18-21 years old who need small, supportive groups in order to succeed. Both in class and in the community, students are taught skills necessary to access actual work sites as well as those skills that promote safe, positive recreational experiences. Coordination with agencies such as DDA and DVR is an important part of the program. Some examples of what is addressed in the community-based training program include: 

• Understanding and using money
• Telling time to follow schedules
• Technology skills
• Street crossing and pedestrian safety
• Social skills including conversation, self-advocacy, requesting help or breaks
• Other life skills depending on individual student need (hygiene, proper meal etiquette, etc.)

Prerequisite Skills 

Students will: 

• Be able to feed self with proper utensils.
• Be able to use bathroom and wash hands independently with prompts.
• Be able to remain in their areas without running from staff.
• Refrain from verbally, physically, and sexually aggressive and/or inappropriate behaviors.